Time Management for MBA Students with Part-time Jobs
October 5th, 2008
Pursuing an MBA, like other advanced degrees, can be very stressful. Even if you are focused on your studies alone, higher learning requires so much from you. Now add a part-time job to the equation and you certainly will need to follow a few pointers to survive.
Create a timetable
Your MBA program can be so competitive that you need to be at your best all the time. Time management is crucial when faced with several priorities. Your part-time job is as much a priority as your MBA classes if you are funding your schooling with your own hard-earned salary. So, best keep a calendar of your classes and your working hours. If there is an upcoming exam, take note of its schedule so that you can start studying long before. Your calendar will remind you what you need to do at the moment. Once you’ve created a timetable, you have to follow it. Not following your timetable can make your life pretty chaotic.
Prioritize
When setting priorities, remember that both your MBA classes and your job are priorities. So, you have to cut back on less important activities, such as partying. If you have to live a monk-like existence for a period of time, you have to do it to save time for your MBA school work and your part-time job. Remember to leave your cave from time to time though, for some needed relaxation. when you’ve just finished taking an exam, take this opportunity to celebrate with family and friends.
Be committed
Remember why you enrolled into an MBA program in the first place. Stick to your goals and remind yourself that all your hard work will reward you with success in the future. Failures of any kind must be treated as further motivators, not as forms of discouragement.
Leave time for relaxation
You are still human. You need time for more leisurely activities. Once you find a free slot in your calendar, take time to unwind. Reward your hard work with a fun afternoon, or even a weekend. Use this time to have fun with your friends and family. Fun and relaxing activities are beneficial because they help you cope with stress better. After all, you will be needing all your strength to juggle your coursework and your part-time job.
Photo Credit : altered art